You have been invited to participate in a research project. Before you proceed, it is essential that you understand the purpose of this research and what it entails. Please feel free to make contact if you have any questions or would like more information.

My name is Chris Mitchell, and I am currently studying at the University of the Built Environment (formerly UCEM) for an MSc in Quantity Surveying. This research is part of my dissertation.

This research aims to understand the key issues faced by SME consultants working in the construction and built environment industries when bidding for, and trying to secure work with public sector clients.

Responses to this survey are anonymous, and the results will be stored and disposed of on completion of the project in accordance with GDPR. If the final report were to be published, your responses would be part of this, but no personal data would be included.

Participation in this study is voluntary, and you may withdraw at any time.

If you are happy to proceed, please complete the following questionnaire, which will take about 5 minutes.

If you require any further information, please contact me at: cwm2374@student.ucem.ac.uk

If you have any concerns, you can also contact my module leader, Dr Graeme Whitehall who is the Research Ethics Coordinator at: projects@ucem.ac.uk

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* 1. Do you work for a consultancy operating in the construction and built environment industry?

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* 2. Which of these services does your business provide? (Please tick all that apply).

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* 3. What size is the business that you work for?

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* 4. Which level closest matches your job role?

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* 5. Which of the following does your company work with?

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* 6. What is your organisations preferred type of client to work with? (Please select one option).

With regards to statements 7 to 11 below , please select whether you strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree.

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* 7. It is worth my businesses time to search for public sector projects to bid for.

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* 8. In bidding for public sector projects, the success rate is worth the time spent on tendering.

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* 9. In responding to public sector tender opportunities, the requirements are typically simple and easy to understand.

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* 10. In responding to public sector tender opportunities, the information requested by the client is typically reasonable for the size of project on offer.

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* 11. In responding to public sector tender opportunities, the amount of time given to respond by clients is usually reasonable.

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* 12. In your organisation, which staff members are typically involved in bidding for new work? (Please tick all that apply).

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* 13. Please review the descriptions below and arrange them into order from 1 to 4, with 1 being the biggest barrier and 4 being the smallest barrier to working with public sector clients.

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* 14. Please indicate whether you believe any of the solutions below would or have assisted your business in securing work with public sector clients. (Please tick all that apply).

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* 15. Do you think that AI (Artificial Intelligence) tools such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini are useful for writing tender submissions?

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* 16. Are you aware of the Procurement Act 2023?

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* 17. Please share any thoughts below on how public sector procurement of construction and built environment consultants could be improved.

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